As of the census of 2000, there were 15,850 people, 6,434 households, and 4,111 families residing in the city. The population density was 877.5 people per square mile (338.9/km²). There were 7,424 housing units at an average density of 411.0/sq mi (158.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.20% White, 8.45% African American, 4.73% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 3.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.76% of the population.
There were 6,434 households out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,369, and the median income for a family was $33,621. Males had a median income of $27,083 versus $19,889 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,797. About 13.1% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
The annual festival takes place at the 43-acre (170,000 m) Shannon Springs park and opens nightly from around Thanksgiving to the end of December. Concessions, carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and shopping are available. The Festival of Light has received many prestigious awards over the years including Regional Event of the Year, A.B.A. Top 100 Event, National Top 25 Holiday Event, Festival of the Year, Best Community Festival Event and Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors. The Festival has been featured statewide on Discover Oklahoma and ranked as a Top Place to Visit by Fine Living Network (2004) and has also been designated as an official 2007 Oklahoma Centennial Event. Over 140 businesses and clubs sponsor the event in various ways. The installation of lights in 290 trees, eight miles (13 km) of walk-ways, bridges, arbors, gazebos and buildings begins in September; however, it takes through March to get the lights taken down and stored away. More than 1,200 volunteers donate time and skill, and now Display Sponsors have reached the 100 mark. The park has over 3.5 million lights and the crystal pedestrian bridge boasts over 75,000 lights alone! It draws together over a thousand local volunteers and more than 300,000 visitors from across the United States. Official Website
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) hosts an annual festival, The Spring Triad, which is made up of the Montmartre Chalk Art Festival, the Droverstock music festival, and the Scholastic Meet. The event is usually held during the beginning of April. The Art Festival is held along the oval drive in front of Te Ata Memorial Auditorium (previously known as Troutt Hall) where over 700 artists compete in a chalk art contest. Droverstock features over 12 hours of live music from various bands of all styles and genres. There are also many games, rides, and activities associated with the festival. And for over 27 years the Scholastic Meet has attracted close to 1,800 students from over 50 Oklahoma counties competing in academic disciplines such as math, science, music, history and other subjects. The competition is the largest academic meet in the state. Overall, the day-long event attracts thousands into the community.
The Muscle Car Ranch located on the south edge of Chickasha hosts and annual swap meet and concert, which is held in August. The Ranch, located on 70 acres (280,000 m) of a 1900s Dairy farm, features over hundreds of nostalgic advertisement signs and memorabilia representing the last 75 years of American history. The concert has featured Rock & Roll hall of fame groups like the Byrds, Grass Roots, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Jefferson Airplane, The Lovin’ Spoonful, FireFall, John Conlee, and Dr Hook and Bad Company. Official Website